I’m quickly making my way through Martin Lindstrom‘s book Buyology. It’s a fascinating read about the psychology behind our buying habits and what is used to influence our decisions.

To write the book, Lindstrom did three years’ worth of brain scan research to find our reactions to brands, logos, advertisements, etc. He explains that mirror neurons are why we smile when others smile, cry during Hallmark commercials, and jump like a loon when our team scores. He writes that mirror neurons cause our brains “to react as if we were actually performing these activities ourselves.” This explains why I was so sad when Iowa lost football games when I was younger. Now I’m just used to it. Go Hawks!

Here is where science, Lindstrom’s words, my experience, and Everybody Loves Raymond get together and have a big ‘ol lovefest.

When my wife and I had a TV, one of our favorite shows was Raymond. It was popular, funny, innocent enough, and seemingly fine. What I began to not appreciate was the snark and sarcasm written into the script each week. While funny at the outset, the problem began to rear its head when I noticed myself using the same snark and sarcasm with my wife.

Right now you’re saying something about how I’m crazy to think that a TV show can influence behavior.

Well, this rise in sarcasm was one of the reasons why we ditched our television however many years ago it was. And I wasn’t crazy about my observed behavior. Science backs me up.

Lindstrom writes that mirror neurons “are the reason why we often unwittingly imitate other people’s behavior.” What we were watching was behavior that wasn’t worth imitating.

Sure, it was funny on TV.

But try saying this to your significant other:

Marie: Oh I used to love Valentines Day!… then I met your father.
Frank: I used to love every day.

Or try any of these other “funny” quotes from funnytvquotes.com. Most of those lines have no place in a healthy relationship.

If science says we mimic what we see AND feel like we’re the ones doing the things that we see, why subject ourselves to stuff that isn’t beneficial?

How would you benefit from a change in what you feed your mirror neurons?

My oldest daughter is a monkey. There’s no visible tail, so maybe she’s an ape.

At any rate, she’s always on the lookout for a good climbing tree. There’s the cherry tree at my parents’ house and the tree out front at my in-laws’ house where she’ll climb the branches and read for hours if we’d let her. She knows a good climbing tree when she sees it.

I tell you this to give a sense of the depth of knowledge my daughter has in this area. She knows her stuff.

So, without further ado, Ginny presents her Tree Climbability Scale.

A Poor Selection

Me: On a climbability scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being an awful tree to climb and 10 being the best tree ever, what number would you give this tree?

Ginny: A zero. This one wouldn’t be good for climbing because it doesn’t have any branches on the bottom. Unless you were a monkey.

Me: I thought you were a monkey, Ginny.

Ginny: I am, a little.

A Better Option

Me: What do you think about this one? Scale of 1-10?

Ginny: Probably a five for that one. It’s too small but the branches look strong enough to hold you.

Me: Would you climb it if there weren’t park police driving around?

Ginny: Yes, I would (teeheehee).

Primo Climbing Tree

Me: How would you rate this one?

Ginny: A 100! Awesome!

Me: What’s awesome about it?

Ginny: The branches are closer together and they’re easier to climb.

Me: Do you think you could climb as high as Mommy? She’s a monkey, you know.

Ginny: I did climb as high as her.

Me: Right.

Ginny’s 5 Tips for Choosing a Climbing Tree

Make sure you can reach the branches.

Look for one where you can go high.

Look for branches that are strong enough to hold you so they won’t break.

Find places to hold onto.

The branches should be close to each other or you might not be able to reach them.

Me: Do you have any advice for kids who might be afraid to climb a tree?

Ginny: Do not climb high trees if you’re scared of heights. Choose a short one so you won’t be scared of falling.

Me: What about grownups who are afraid to climb? Hypothetically speaking. I don’t know anyone like that.

I’m a dad and I need to die. In fact, I think all fathers should die. We’d all be better off for it.

I don’t mean that we should all literally die, of course. But in a sense, good fathers kill themselves.

I’m not getting any clearer, am I?

How about this: My selfishness needs to die.

In any relationship, there is a constant battle of what-I-want VS. what-you-want. That kid (hopefully not mine) throwing a tantrum in the toy aisle? Selfishness. He wants the toy, you want your dignity.

The problem is that while our tantrums (hopefully) decrease as we grow older, the root of the tantrum often hangs around much longer. To be a great dad, I need to kill this root of selfishness.

A tremendous young pastor, Josh Lindstrom, spoke some wise words for dads. Between his job and his family, he doesn’t have time for hobbies. Truthfully, I don’t either. Do you?

Do you have kids at home but play golf every weekend? Why? Shouldn’t your family be your hobby?

If I took the time for hobbies, something would suffer. But it wouldn’t be my work duties. Family often gets the short end of the stick.

I love to go mountain biking with my friend. But when I go, half of my Saturday is gone – prime time to chill with the family.

So you’re saying I can’t ever have any fun?

Nope. But I have three suggestions for dads:

1. Consider changing your idea of “fun”. Sure (insert activity) is fun, but find something you can do with your family. Spending time hiking or just being outside together has been great for my family. Find what works for yours.

2. “I’ve earned the right to ____________.” Get over yourself. You have a family. Therefore, you have earned the right to lead them courageously. One of the greatest ways you can do that is to…

3. …be intentional with your time. I don’t know about your home, but with my kids, the days are often long but the years are way too short. Spend time doing things that matter with people that matter.

And who matters more than those little people who buy you ties every June?

One of the reasons I started TV STINKS was to encourage people to get outside more often. The American Hiking Society is putting on their annual National Trails Day with events across the country. Check out the link for happenings near you, and if there’s no official event, get outside and enjoy the day anyway.